Monday, March 05, 2018

Karen and I will be busy with home improvement and gardening projects all during the month of March. We are adding new fencing and improving old fencing. We are going to be planting ground covers, ornamental evergreen shrubs, trees, mowing, fertilizing, and finishing paving our nursery area. We are adding and improving garden trellis framing. We also have many indoor home improvement projects. I planted four camellia shrubs in our backyard, and many smaller evergreen shrubs and ground covers. When to Plant Vegetables in Vancouver, WashingtonFrom the National Gardening AssociationThe Spirit of Gardening by Mike GarofaloNotes about Gardening in Vancouver, Washington

We will be staying overnight in Yakima and Packwood, Washinton. Hopefully, our road trip will give us fine views of the Columbia Gorge and river along I 84 to The Dalles. We hope to get some great views of Yakima Valley and Mt. Adams (12,280) as we drive to Toppenish on Washington Road 97. The second and third days will take us headed west through the Cascades, between Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Adams just to the south of State Road 12 and to Mt. Ranier (14,410 feet) just to the north of State Road 12. Naches, Rimrock Lake, White Pass, Packwood, Randle, Morton, Mossyrock, Riffe Lake and beautiful views along the Cowlitz River Valley. The Mossyrock Dam, for example, is 606 feet high. There are numerous dams and resovoir/lakes in the Cowlitz River Valley between Mt. Ranier and Mt. Adams near Mt. St. Helens.

Sunday, March 04, 2018

"By slowing your movements down, it turns your weight-training session into high-intensity exercise. The super-slow movement allows your muscle, at the microscopic level, to access the maximum number of cross-bridges between the protein filaments that produce movement in the muscle.

This is a beneficial and safe way to incorporate high-intensity exercise into your workouts if you're older and have trouble getting around. You only need about 12 to 15 minutes of super-slow strength training once a week to achieve the same human growth hormone (HGH) production as you would from 20 minutes of Peak Fitness sprints, which is why fitness experts like Dr. Doug McGuff are such avid proponents of this technique.

The fact that super-slow weight training gives you an excellent boost in human growth hormone (HGH), otherwise known as the "fitness hormone," is another reason why it's so beneficial if you're older. As you reach your 30s and beyond, you enter what's called "somatopause," when your levels of HGH begin to drop off quite dramatically. This is part of what drives your aging process. According to Dr. McGuff, there's also a strong correlation between somatopause and age-related sarcopenia. HGH is needed to sustain your fast-twitch muscle fibers, which produce a lot of power. It's also needed to stimulate those muscles.

"What seems to be evident is that a high-intensity exercise stimulus is what triggers the body to make an adaptive response to hold on to muscle," Dr. McGuff says. "We have to remember that muscle is a very metabolically expensive tissue… If you become sedentary and send your body a signal that this tissue is not being used, then that tissue is metabolically expensive. The adaptation is to deconstruct that tissue…"

People of all ages can benefit from super-slow weight training, but this is definitely a method to consider if you're middle-aged or older. I recommend using four or five basic compound movements for your super-slow (high intensity) exercise set. Compound movements are movements that require the coordination of several muscle groups—for example, squats, chest presses and compound rows. Here is my version of the technique."

Friday, March 02, 2018

Tao Te Ching by Lao TzuChapter 18"When humankind strayed from the natural way of life,Relative social disciplines began to appear.When intelligence and cleverness of mind are admired,Great hypocrisy is born.When disharmony manifested in family relations,Children who respected their parentsAnd parents who respected their childrenBecame rare examples.When chaos prevailed in the county,Only a few loyal ministers were recognized.Let all people return to their true nature.Love, kindness, wisdom, family harmony, and loyaltyShould not be taught one by one,Separately from an honest life.Then, once again,People will regain the natural virtue of wholeness.The world will be naturally ordered.There will be no one who singly and cunninglyWorks for personal interest alone."- Translated by Hua-Ching Ni, 1979, Chapter 18

"When the great Tao perishesThere is jen and justice.When intelligence is manifestThere is great deception.When the six relationships are not in harmonyThere is filial piety and compassion.When the country is in chaosLoyal ministers appear."- Translated by Charles Muller, 1891, Chapter 18

"On the decline of the great Tao,The doctrine of "humanity" and "justice" arose.When knowledge and cleverness appeared,Great hypocrisy followed in its wake.When the six relationships no longer lived at peace,There was praise of "kind parents" and "filial sons."When a country fell into chaos and misrule,There was praise of "loyal ministers." "- Translated by Lin Yutang, 1955, Chapter 18 "Separated from the origin there is talk of humaneness and justice. Where wisdom gives way to smartness cunning and lying appear. Separated from the All-relatedness and All-union man seeks a substitute in human relationships and family ties. When consciousness of the unity of mankind vanished clans and peoples and feud without end arose." - Translated by K. O. Schmidt, 1975, Chapter 18

"And when the olden way of rule declined, The words for love and serve came in. Next came knowledge and keen thought, Advent of lying, sham, and fraud. When kinsmen lost their kind concord, They honoured child- and parent-love. In dark disorder ruling houses Turned to loyal devoted vassals." - Translated by Moss Roberts, 2001, Chapter 18

"When people lost sight of the way to liveCame codes of love and honesty,Learning came, charity came,Hypocrisy took charge;When differences weakened family tiesCame benevolent fathers and dutiful sons;And when lands were disrupted and misgovernedCame ministers commended as loyal."- Translated by Witter Bynner, 1944, Chapter 18
"When the great Way declines, there is "humanity and justice".
When cleverness and knowledge appear, there is "great artificiality".
When the six degrees of kinship do not live in harmony, there are "filial sons".
When state and dynasty are plunged in disorder, there are "loyal ministers"."
- Translated by
Jan J. L. Duyvendak, 1954, Chapter 18 "When the Way is forgotten Duty and justice appear; Then knowledge and wisdom are born Along with hypocrisy. When harmonious relationships dissolve Then respect and devotion arise; When a nation falls to chaos Then loyalty and patriotism are born." - Translated by Peter Merel, Chapter 18

"When the great Tao is lost spring forth benevolence and righteousness.When wisdom and sagacity arise, there are great hypocrites.When family relations are no longer harmonious, we have filial children and devoted parents.When a nation is in confusion and disorder, patriots are recognised.Where Tao is, equilibrium is. When Tao is lost, out come all the differences of things."- Translated by Ch'u Ta-Kao, 1904, Chapter 18

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

I have taken 9 Feldenkrais' introductory 90 minute group classes from a local Feldenkrais practitioner, Christine Toscano. I also practice this method alone at home. I have also read a number of books on the subject.Mrs. Toscano recommended we read Chapter 5 of the book by Norman Doidge, M.D., "The Brain's Way of Healing: Remarkable Discoveries and Recoveries from the Frontiers of Neuroplasticity," (Penguin Books, 2016). The chapter covers the life and work of Moshe Feldenkrais (1904-1984). He was a Ph.D. engineer, kudo master, movement therapist, author, and healer. The chapter discusses some of the core principles of his theory and methods as follows:

"1. The mind programs the functioning of the brain.2. A brain cannot think without motor function.3. Awareness of movement is the key to improving movement.4. Differentiation: making the smallest possible sensory distinctions between movements - builds brain maps.5. Differentiation is easiest to make when the stimulus is smallest.6. Slowness of movement is the key to awareness, and awareness is the key to learning.7. Reduce the effort whenever possible. Relax.8. Errors are essential, and there is no right way to move, only better.9. Random movements provide variation that leads to developmental breakthroughs.10. Even the smallest movement in one part of the body involves the entire body.11. Many movement problems, and the pain that goes with them, are caused by learned habit, not by abnormal structure." Awareness Through Movement. Easy-To-Do Health Exercises to Improve Your Posture, Vision, Imagination and Personal Awareness. By Moshe Feldenkrais. HarperOne, Reprint edition, 2009. 192 pages. ISBN: 978-0062503220. VSCL. Awareness Heals: The Feldenkrais Method for Dynamic Health. By Stephen Shafarman. Da Capo Lifelong Books, 1997. 224 pages. ISBN: 978-0201694697. VSCL. The Brain's Way of Healing: Remarkable Discoveries and Recoveries from the Frontiers of Neuroplasticity. By Norman Doidge, M.D.. Penguin Books, 2016.Change Your Age: Using Your Body and Brain to Feel Younger, Stronger, and More Fit. By Frank Wildman, Ph.D.. Da Capo Lifelong Books, 2010. 240 pages. ISBN: 978-0738213637. VSCL. Embodied Wisdom: The Collected Papers of Moshe Feldenkrais. Edited by Elizabeth Beringer. Foreword by David Zemach-Bersin. North Atlantic Books, 1st Edition, 2010. 256 pages. ISBN: 978-1556439063. VSCL.

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

The Yi Jin Jing Qigong is a popular qigong exercise set from China. "Yi Jin Jing Qigong" means "Muscle and Tendon Transforming Exercises."

In most cases, this qigong regimen consists of 12 movement sequences. There are some versions of the Yi Jin Jing with many more movements (22, 49, 108, 216). Some of the longer versions of the Yi Jin Jing include movements from the Eight Section Brocade Routine, the Animal Frolics Routines, the Louhan Routine, or the Bone Marrow and Brain Washing Routine.

Most people practice a 12 movement version of the Yi Jin Jing that was described in a book published by Pan Weiru in 1858 called "Essential Techniques for Guarding Life." Also, Wang Zuyuan published a book in the 1880's titled "Illustrated Exposition of Internal Techniques" that described the same qigong routine as did Pan Weiru. Names of the Yi Jin Jing Qigong MovementsOpening Form1. Wei Tuo Presenting the Pestle 12. Wei Tuo Presenting the Pestle 23. Wei Tuo Presenting the Pestle 34. Plucking Stars on Each Side5. Pulling Nine Cows by Their Tails6. Showing Talons and Spreading Wings7. Nine Ghosts Drawing Sabers8. Sinking the Three Bodily ZonesThree Plates Falling on the Floor9. Black Dragon Displaying Its Claws10. Tiger Springing On Its Prey11. Bowing Down in Salutation12. Swinging the TailClosing FormSome claim that the Yi Jin Jing was created by the famous Zen Patriarch Bodhidharma (Da Mo) around 520 CE, and refined over centuries by Shaolin monks, while others argue for an even more ancient Daoist lineage.

There are numerous instructional DVDs available now for the 12 movement verion of the Yi Jin Jing. I like the instructional book and DVD by the Chinese Health Qigong Association:

Yi Jin Jing: Chinese Health Qigong. Compiled by the Chinese Health Qigong Association. Beijing, China, Foreign Languages Press, 2007. 95 pages, charts, includes an instructional DVD. ISBN: 9787119047782. VSCL. "Qigong is an aspect of traditional Chinese medicine that involves coordinating breathing patterns with physical postures to maintain health and well-being. Yi Jin Jing/ Tendon-Muscle Strengthening Exercises is an accessible, fully-illustrated guide to a particular qigong exercise that focuses on turning and flexing the spine. Based on the twelve traditional routines of Yi Jin Jing, the exercises covered in the book feature soft, extended, even movements that invigorate the limbs and internal organs. In particular, practice of the Yi Jin Jing exercises improves flexibility, balance and muscular strength, and has a beneficial effect on the respiratory system. Each routine is described step-by-step and is illustrated with photographs and key points. The authors also point out common mistakes and offer advice on how to correct these. Complemented by an appendix of acupuncture points and accompanied by a DVD, this book will be of interest to Qigong and Tai Chi practitioners at all levels, students of martial arts and anyone interested in Chinese culture."- Singing Dragon.

Friday, February 23, 2018

Daodejing, LaoziChapter 17"Those of preeminent wisdom and purity knew this Tao intuitively from their birth,and so possessed it.Those of the second rank—the men of virtue—approached it nearly, and eulogised it.Those of the third rank—who were still above the commonalty—stood in awe of it.Those of the lowest rank held it in light esteem.Their belief in it was superficial, or imperfect; while there were even some who did not believe in it at all.The first spoke only with forethought and calculation, as though honouring their words.When their public labours were achieved, and affairs progressed unimpeded, the people all said,"This is our natural and spontaneous condition.""- Translated by Frederic Henry Balfour, 1884, Chapter 17

"A leader is bestWhen people barely know that he exists,Not so good when people obey and acclaim him,Worst when they despise him.'Fail to honor people,They fail to honor you;'But of a good leader, who talks little,When his work is done, his aim fulfilled,They will all say, 'We did this ourselves.'"- Translated by Witter Bynner, 1944, Chapter 17

"In the highest antiquity people scarce knewThat rulers existed among them; In the next age attachment and praise for them grew, In the next people feared they might wrong them; And then in the next age the people despised The rulers whom fate set above them, For when faith by the rulers no longer is prized, The people no longer can love them. Those earliest rulers! what caution they had In weighing the words they were using; How successful their deeds! while the people all said We are what we are by our choosing."- Translated by Isaac Winter Heysinger, 1903, Chapter 17

"With the highest rulers -Those below simply know they exist.With those one step down -They love and praise them.With those one further step down -They fear them.And with those at the bottom -They ridicule and insult them.

Who does not trust enoughwill not be trusted.Hesitant and undecided!Like this is his respect for speaking.He completes his tasks and finishes his affairsYet the common people say,"These things all happened by nature."- Translated by Bram den Hond, Chapter 17

"Of great rulers the subjects do not notice the existence.To lesser ones people are attached; they praise them.Still lesser ones people fear, and the meanest ones people despise.For it is said: 'If your faith be insufficient, verily, you will receive no faith.'How reluctantly the great rulers considered their words!Merit they accomplished; deeds they performed; and the hundred families thought: 'We are independent.' "- Translated by D. T. Suzuki and Paul Carus, 1913, Chapter 17

"Of the best ruler,The people only know he exists.Next comes one the love and praise.Next comes one they fear.Next comes one they abhor.When you are lacking in trust,Others have no trust in you.Of the work of one who is short with his words,The hundred families say,We have done it ourselves!"- Translated by Herrymoon Maurer, 1985, Chapter 17

"In ancient timesThe people knew that they had rulers.Then they loved and praised them,Then they feared them,Then they despised them.The rulers did not trust the people,The people did not trust the rulers.The rulers were grave, their words were precious.The people having finished their work,and brought it to a successful issue, said:"We affirm the Self.""- Translated by Isabella Mears, 1916, Chapter 17 A typical webpage created by Mike Garofalo for each one of the 81 Chapters (Verses, Sections) of the Tao Te Ching (Daodejing) by Lao Tzu (Laozi) includes over 25 different English language translations or interpolations for that Chapter, 5 Spanish language translations for that Chapter, the Chinese characters for that Chapter, the Wade-Giles and Hanyu Pinyin transliterations (Romanization) of the Mandarin Chinese words for that Chapter, and 2 German and 1 French translation of that Chapter. Each webpage for each one of the 81 Chapters of the Tao Te Ching includes extensive indexing by key words, phrases, and terms for that Chapter in English, Spanish, and the Wade-Giles Romanization. Each webpage on a Chapter of the Daodejing includes recommended reading in books and websites, a detailed bibliography, some commentary, research leads, translation sources, and other resources for that Chapter. Each webpage includes a Google Translate drop down menu at the top that enables you to read the webpage in over 100 languages.

Monday, February 19, 2018

I lived in the East Los Angeles metropolitan area from 1946-1998, and in Red Bluff, California, from 1998-2017. We rarely saw snow fall and it melted quickly in these areas. We always had to drive up into the mountains, e.g., the San Gabriel or San Gorgonio Mountains in the LA area, or Mt. Lassen or Mt. Shasta in Red Bluff if we wanted to play in and enjoy the snow.Here in Vancouver, Washington, where we live now, snowing is a more common occurrence. I think that last year Vancouver had about 8 - 10 inches of snow. The nearby foothills and mountains (Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams, Mt. Ranier, and Mt. Hood of the Cascades) have lots of snow. Last night, about three inches fell as temperatures dropped and the cold front rolled into the Northeast Pacific Coast region.We live about 500 miles north of Red Bluff, and 300 miles south from Vancouver, Canada.

"At this period of wushu, the Nanking
Central Kuoshu Institute in 1956 tasked the choreography of a Taijiquan routine
what would be more suitable for popular dissemination among the masses, in
keeping with the government's egalitarian agenda. The traditional forms
were just too long and time consuming to practice, and the traditional methods
too arcane and demanding for mass propagation. The challenge was to reduce
the one hundred-odd movements of the traditional Yang Style Taijiquan, prevalent
then, to its core, by removing the many repetitive movements as well as the less
essential ones. Thus, the 24-Form Taijiquan set was created.
Instrumental in this simplification effort was Li Tianji (1913-1996) who had
been appointed a wushu research fellow at the Institute. Under official
auspices, the 24-Form Taijiquan quickly became the standard form, taught
throughout China as part of physical education curriculum in schools and
colleges. It is perhaps the best know Taijiquan form in the world today.
As widespread as it is, the 24-Form is at best an abridged version of the
traditional Yang form, a synopsis of the art."
- C. P. Ong,
Taijiquan: Cultivating Inner Strength,
2013, p. 7. I practice this Taijiquan form twice every day. It takes from 5 to 7 minutes to perform.You
can do this indoors by adjusting to the space available, or outdoors.
When done slowly and gently you don't need to do any warmup exercises
unless your knees are problematic. A lovely Taijiquan form! Good for
persons of all ages. This form is a cornerstone of my personal T'ai Chi
Ch'uan practices.

The first Taijiquan form I learned in 1986 was the Standard 24
Movement T'ai Chi Ch'uan Form in the Yang Style of T'ai Chi Ch'uan.
At that time there were no books or instructional videotapes on this
popular form. Since that time, nearly 31 years have past. Now there
are dozens of books and instructional DVDs and webpages on the subject
of the 24 Form.

Standard Simplified Taijiquan 24 Form.
Research by Michael P. Garofalo, M.S. This webpage includes a
detailed bibliography of books, media, links, online videos, articles,
and resources. It provides a list of the 24 movement names in
English, Chinese, French, German and Spanish, with citations for
sources of the movement names. It provides detailed descriptions of
each movement with black and white line illustrations and
photographs. It includes relevant quotations, notes, performance
times, section breakdowns, basic Tai Chi principles, and strategies
for learning the form. The Peking (Bejing) Chinese National orthodox
standard simplified 24 movement T'ai Chi Ch'uan form, created in 1956,
is the most popular form practiced all around the world. This form
uses the Yang Style of Taijiquan. Published by Green Way Research, Valley Spirit Taijiquan, Red Bluff, California: Webpage URL: http://www.egreenway.com/taichichuan/short.htm.

This
webpage provides many good suggestions for a person learning this form
on their own if there is no Tai Chi class in their area.

I give information on many other fine books by other good authors on the 24 Form in my webpage: Cheng Zhao, Foen Tjoeng Lie, Eric Chaline, Le Deyin, etc..
My students tell me that their favorite instructional DVD on the 24 Form is:

Friday, February 16, 2018

Tao Te Ching by Lao TzuChapter 16"Reach the pole of emptiness (hsü-chi),
Abide in genuine quietude (ching).
Ten thousand beings flourish together,
I am to contemplate (kuan) their return (fu).
Now things grow profusely,
Each again returns (kuei) to its root.
To return to the root is to attain quietude (ching),
It is called to recover life (ming).
To recover life is to attain the Everlasting (ch'ang),
To know the Everlasting (ch'ang) is to be illumined (ming).
Not knowing (chih) the Everlasting (ch'ang),
One commits evils wantonly.
Knowing the Everlasting one becomes all containing (yung).
To be all containing is to be public (kung).
To be public is to be kingly (wang).
To be kingly is to be like heaven.
To be like heaven is to be like Tao.
To be like Tao is to last long.
This is to lose the body without becoming exhausted (pu tai)."
- Translated by
Ellen M.
Chen, 1989, Chapter 16

In Praise of Nothing: An Exploration of Daoist Fundamental Ontology.
By Ellen M. Chen. Xlibris, Corp., 2010. 250 pages. ISBN:
978-1456826093. VSCL. "Ellen M. Chen received her Ph.D. in
philosophy from Fordham University. She taught philosophy at St. John's
University, retiring in 1996. This volume, In Praise of Nothing, will be
followed by a volume on Daoist Cosmology: On the Harmony of Opposites."

Other translations, interpolations, and interpretations of Chapter 16:"Attain to the goal of absolute vacuity;
Keep to the state of perfect peace.
All things come into existence,
And thence we see them return.
Look at the things that have been flourishing;
Each goes back to its origin.
Going back to the origin is called peace;
It means reversion to destiny.
Reversion to destiny is called eternity.
He who knows eternity is called enlightened.
He who does not know eternity is rushing blindly into miseries.
Knowing eternity he is all-embracing.
Being all-embracing he can attain magnanimity.
Being magnanimous he can attain omnipresence.
Being omnipresent he can attain supremacy.
Being supreme he can attain Tao.
He who attains Tao is everlasting.
Though his body may decay he never perishes."
- Translated by
Ch'u Ta-Kao, 1904, Chapter 16"Be utterly
humbleAnd you shall hold to the foundation of peace.Be at one with all
these living things which, having arisen and flourished,Return to the quiet
whence they came,Like a healthy growth of vegetationFalling back upon
the root.Acceptance of this return to the root has been called
'quietism,'Acceptance of quietism has been condemned as 'fatalism.'But
fatalism is acceptance of destinyAnd to accept destiny is to face life with
open eyes,Whereas not to accept destiny is to face death blindfold.He
who is open-eyed is open-minded-He who is open-minded is open-hearted,He
who is open-hearted is kingly,He who is kingly is godly,He who is godly
is useful,He who is useful is infinite,He who is infinite is
immune,He who is immune is immortal."
- Translated by
Witter Bynner, 1944, Chapter 16

"Attaining perfect emptiness Remain patient and sincere The myriad beings arise as one Through this we observe the return Of beings in numberless multitudes Each coming home to its root Return to the root means serenity It may be called a return to a higher order Return to higher order speaks of the enduring To comprehend the enduring speaks of clarity To not comprehend the enduring Is to recklessly create suffering To comprehend the enduring (is) tolerance Tolerance becomes justice Justice becomes sovereignty Sovereignty becomes celestial The celestial becomes the path The path is then continuous The death of self is nothing to fear" - Translated by Bradford Hatcher, 2005, Chapter 16

"Bring about emptiness to the extreme.Guard true stillness.The ten-thousand things rise together.I therefore observe their return:Those ten-thousand plants—each plant—returnsGoing back to its root.Going back to the root is said to be stillness.This is called returning to life.Returning to life is called the Constant.Understanding the Constant is called clarity.Not understanding the Constant:Reckless actions—misfortune.Understanding the Constant, forgive.Forgive, then be unbiased.Be unbiased, then be whole.Be whole, then be Heaven.Be Heaven, then be Tao.Be Tao, then be eternal.Not having a body, there is no danger."- Translated by Aalar Fex, 2006, Chapter 16 "Empty the self completely; Embrace perfect peace. Realize that all beings alike go through their processes of activity and life, and then they return to the original source. Returning to the source brings peacefulness and stillness. This stillness is the flow of nature, and signifies that the beings have lived their allotted span of life. Accepting this brings enlightenment and tranquility, ignoring this brings confusion and sorrow If one can accept this flow of nature; one can cherish all things. Being all-cherishing you become impartial; Being impartial you become magnanimous; Being magnanimous you become natural; Being natural you become one with The Way; Being one with The Way you become immortal: Though the body will decay, the Way will not." - Translated by John Discus, 2002, Chapter 16 致虛極.守靜篤.萬物並作.吾以觀復.夫物芸芸, 各復歸其根.歸根曰靜.是謂復命.復命曰常.知常曰明.不知常, 妄作凶知常容.容乃公.公乃王.王乃天.天乃道.道乃久.沒身不殆.- Chinese characters, Tao Te Ching, Chapter 16

"Effect emptiness to the extreme.
Keep stillness whole.
Myriad things act in concert.
I therefore watch their return.
All things flourish and each returns to its root.
Returning to the root is called quietude.
Quietude is called returning to life.
Return to life is called constant.
Knowing this constant is called illumination.
Acting arbitrarily without knowing the constant is harmful.
Knowing the constant is receptivity, which is impartial.
Impartiality is kingship.
Kingship is Heaven.
Heaven is Tao
Tao is eternal.
Though you lose the body, you do not die."
- Translated by Charles Muller, 1891, Chapter 16

Aquel que comprende el camino de la Naturaleza llega a apreciarlo todo;Apreciandolo todo, se convierte en imparcial;Siendo imparcial, se convierte en magnánimo;Siendo magnánimo, se convierte en parte de la Naturaleza;Siendo parte de la Naturaleza, se hace uno con el Tao;Siendo uno con el Tao, se alcanza la inmortalidad:Piensa que el cuerpo perecerá, el Tao no."- Translated by Antonio Rivas Gonzálvez, 1998, Tao Te Ching,Capítulo 16"To arrive at ultimate quietnessSteadfastly maintain repose.All creatures together have form;I see them return again to their root.The Master creatures come to perfect form,Continuously they return to their root.Continuous return to the root is called repose,Repose is called the law of return,The law of return is called eternity.To know eternity is called illumination.To ignore eternity is to draw misfortune on oneself,To know eternity is to be great of Soul,To be great of soul is to be a ruler,To be a ruler is to be greater than all,To be greater than all is to be conscious of Life,To be conscious of Life is to endure.The body shall disappear but not decay."- Translated by Isabella Mears, 1916, Chapter 16 Audio Recordings (Podcasts) in English by Mike Garofalo

Here is an audio recording of selected translations from Chapter 16 of the Tao Te Ching. This reading includes translations by Isabella Mears 1916, Charles Muller 1891, John Discus 2002, Bradford Hatcher 2005, Stephen Addis 1993. Reading and recording by Michael P. Garofalo at the Valley Spirit Center in Red Bluff, California. Recorded on December 5, 2016. MP3 format. 12.7 MB. A typical webpage created by Mike Garofalo for each one of the 81 Chapters (Verses, Sections) of the Tao Te Ching (Daodejing) by Lao Tzu (Laozi) includes 25 different English language translations or interpolations for that Chapter, 5 Spanish language translations for that Chapter, the Chinese characters for that Chapter, the Wade-Giles and Hanyu Pinyin transliterations (Romanization) of the Mandarin Chinese words for that Chapter, and 2 German and 1 French translation of that Chapter. Each webpage for each one of the 81 Chapters of the Tao Te Ching includes extensive indexing by key words, phrases, and terms for that Chapter in English, Spanish, and the Wade-Giles Romanization. Each webpage on a Chapter of the Daodejing includes recommended reading in books and websites, a detailed bibliography, some commentary, research leads, translation sources, a Google Translate drop down menu, and other resources for that Chapter. Chapter 16, Tao Te Ching by Lao TzuChapter and Thematic Index (Concordance) to the Tao Te Ching by Lao TzuEnglish Language Daodejing Translators' Source IndexSpanish Language Daodejing Translators' Source IndexRipening Peaches: Taoist Studies and PracticesTaoism: A Selected Reading List